Southern Africa: the tough path towards quitting coal

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SOUTHERN AFRICA

Southern Africa: the tough path towards quitting coal

The whole region of southern Africa, and especially South Africa, remains extremely dependent on coal mines, despite protests from environmentalists and pressure from the West in the form of billion-dollar subsidised plans to speed up the coal phase-out. The weighty state-owned Eskom, which has been embroiled in deep crisis for years, is making a tentative attempt to diversify. However, in a country where the sector's unions enjoy unparalleled influence within the state apparatus this is a daunting task. Neighbouring states are attune to this fact and are launching new projects to supply the regional giant's power plants.

The Duvha coal-fired power plant, owned by state-owned utility Eskom, in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga province, South Africa, on June 3, 2021. © Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters

In Focus SOUTH AFRICA Energy Politics 27/06/2022

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (right) and his Minister of Mining and Energy, Gwede Mantashe.

Eskom's fate caught up in the clash between Ramaphosa and Mantashe

South Africa's head of state supports the development of renewable energy, yet the energy minister opposes it and is promoting the benefits of coal. Caught in the crossfire of this political struggle is Eskom's CEO, Andre de Ruyter, who has come up with a recovery plan to save the ailing company.

INDIA ZIMBABWE Mining 14/06/2022

India heads to Harare to try to break China's coal monopoly

As tensions mount in the global energy market, an Indian government delegation is going to Harare to try to loosen China's grip on Zimbabwe's coal mines.

TANZANIA Mining Commodity traders 07/06/2022

Kemexon taking Tanzanian coal to the world

A Belgian-owned company registered in Hong Kong that mainly trades in petroleum, energy and mineral products, Kemexon, is in charge of exporting coal from Ruvuma Coal, southwest Tanzania, to Europe and Asia.

SOUTH AFRICA Mining 18/05/2022

Seriti Resources tightens its grip on New Largo, Eskom's future coal supplier

The South African firm, which regroups four influential holding companies, has supplied the state utility's coal-fired power stations since 1998. It is now the sole owner of the vast New Largo project, which is set to supply the new Kusile power plant.

ZIMBABWE Mining 26/04/2022

A cooling tower at Hwange Power station's Phase 8, currently under construction in Hwange, Zimbabwe, October 19, 2021.

Magnate Billy Rautenbach consolidates his control of Matabeleland North coal

Billy Rautenbach, a historic supporter of Zanu-Pf since the Mugabe era and long considered the richest man in Zimbabwe, is increasing his hold on coal in the west of the country. This is a major coup at a time when national demand is set to rise sharply following the planned increase in capacity at Hwange power station.

ZIMBABWE Mining 21/03/2022

Media empire AB Communications dreams of being a Zimbabwean coal player

One of the country's leading media firms is poised to obtain a coal mining prospection permit, quite unexepectedly. AB Communications is owned by former information and communications minister Supa Mandiwanzira.

SOUTH AFRICA Mining 15/03/2022

War in Ukraine spells good news for South African coal

Following two years that have been marred by the Covid-19 pandemic and the state-owned railway operator's logistical problems, the South African coal sector is suddenly being courted by European consumers. In an European market previously dominated by Russia, it now plans to regain a slice of the pie.

INDIA SOUTH AFRICA Energy Mining 04/03/2022

Coal-hungry India counts on South African tech

India is hoping to reinforce a partnership in technological areas in which South Africa is a world leader to help with its coal-dependent power sector.

SOUTH AFRICA Mining 17/02/2022

Chinese shareholders seek to install ex-finance minister at helm of MC Mining

In early February, a rising player in South Africa's cash-strapped coal industry, Australia's MC Mining, had to contend with a boardroom drama.

SOUTH AFRICA Energy Business 13/12/2021

High-powered legal team helps Eskom defeat Nersa in electricity price battle

South Africa's High Court has declared Eskom the winner in its dispute with the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) over electricity prices for 2022 and 2023.

ESWATINI SOUTH AFRICA Mining 29/11/2021

South African juniors still betting on coal despite stigma

With the purchase of a majority stake in Sable Metals, the little-known Magni Investments is taking a growing place in the South African mining landscape. At the helm is a duo of businessmen who are veterans of the country's coal sector.

SpotlightSOUTH AFRICA Energy Politics 16/11/2021

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking remotely during COP26 on November 4, 2021.

How will South Africa spend $8.5bn pledged by West to wean it off coal?

South Africa has been promised massive funding to reduce and then eliminate its dependence on coal. But there are doubts about how exactly the money will be spent.

BOTSWANA Mining 09/11/2021

African Energy Resources to remove its Botswanan coal business from Australian Securities Exchange

With the business climate increasingly unfavourable for investment in coal, African Energy Resources plans to hive off its Botswanan coal assets from its Australian parent company, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. They will in future be held by a non-listed company, away from the sight of conscientious investors.

SpotlightSOUTH AFRICA Energy Politics 28/10/2021

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa's COP26 decarbonising plans constrained by electoral considerations

The South African leader and Andre de Ruyter, the boss of the public electricity company Eskom Holdings, are juggling two challenges: finding funds to finance the decarbonisation of the economy while keeping the mining unions, a wellspring of potential ANC voters, on board.

SOUTH AFRICA Mining 18/10/2021

Shareholders battle over coal mine that is strategic for Eskom

While state-owned utility Eskom waits for the Arnot mine to resume coal production to supply its power stations and provide desperately needed electricity for South Africa, a dispute between its shareholders and a former business partner could stand in the way.

BOTSWANA Mining 03/09/2021

Gaborone helps Minergy coal venture weather difficult market conditions

The early stages of production at the Masama mine operated by South Africa's Minergy Coal are being followed closely by the government, which has given strong financial support to the new company, the first private sector operator in the Botswanese coal industry.

SOUTH AFRICA Mining 19/07/2021

Durban riots fuel great concern among miners

The violence that followed the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma has had serious repercussions for the country's mining sector. The outbursts, located in the province of KwaZulu Natal, are hampering the activity of local mines, but also that of Durban and Richards Bay port terminals.

BOTSWANA CHINA Mining 05/07/2021

Gaborone hopes to seduce Chinese investors with coal

Botswana's mining authorities, seeking to take advantage of Beijing's embargo on Australian coal and the overheat in South African production, have launched a charm offensive to get Chinese investors to buy their black stuff.

ZIMBABWE Mining 26/04/2021

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa indulges Chinese miners despite growing unrest

Although Zimbabwe has been beset by a wave of protests against Chinese mining firms over the last month, the government is still dishing out new licences to those that are already active in the country.

SOUTHERN AFRICA Mining 19/04/2021

Africa anxious over prospect of World Bank turning away from coal

The Bretton Woods institution is under growing pressure to stop financing coal because of targets tied to the COP21 climate conference in Paris. In Southern Africa, where coal is abundant, anxiety is on the rise.

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Southern Africa: the tough path towards quitting coal

Eskom's fate caught up in the clash between Ramaphosa and Mantashe

India heads to Harare to try to break China's coal monopoly

Kemexon taking Tanzanian coal to the world

Seriti Resources tightens its grip on New Largo, Eskom's future coal supplier

Magnate Billy Rautenbach consolidates his control of Matabeleland North coal

Media empire AB Communications dreams of being a Zimbabwean coal player

War in Ukraine spells good news for South African coal

Coal-hungry India counts on South African tech

Chinese shareholders seek to install ex-finance minister at helm of MC Mining

High-powered legal team helps Eskom defeat Nersa in electricity price battle

South African juniors still betting on coal despite stigma

How will South Africa spend $8.5bn pledged by West to wean it off coal?

African Energy Resources to remove its Botswanan coal business from Australian Securities Exchange

Ramaphosa's COP26 decarbonising plans constrained by electoral considerations

Shareholders battle over coal mine that is strategic for Eskom

Gaborone helps Minergy coal venture weather difficult market conditions

Durban riots fuel great concern among miners

Gaborone hopes to seduce Chinese investors with coal

Mnangagwa indulges Chinese miners despite growing unrest

Africa anxious over prospect of World Bank turning away from coal

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